Borussia Dortmund may end up losing money even if they defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League final because of Jude Bellingham.
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Dortmund to face Real Madrid in Champions League finalBellingham will come up against former sideMadrid transfer includes several add-onsWHAT HAPPENED?
Borussia Dortmund are aiming to finish the season on a high by beating Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League at Wembley on Saturday, June 1. The Bundesliga side have enjoyed a phenomenal European campaign, knocking out Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain on their way to the final. The fixture brings a reunion with former midfielder Jude Bellingham, who moved to Madrid in the summer. However, Bellingham's transfer means that if Dortmund are successful they stand to lose money.
AdvertisementTHE EXPLANATION
Bellingham's transfer to Real Madrid contained a number of clauses related to the Champions League, as reported by . If the England international lifts the European Cup with Madrid then Los Blancos will have to pay a further £4.3 million (€4.9m/$5.3m) to Dortmund. Another payment of £1.7m (€1.9m/$2.1m) will have to be paid out if Bellingham is included in the Champions League Team of the Season.
The losing finalist earns £12.9m ($16.2m) in prize money, which would total £19.3m ($24.1m) for Dortmund combined with the bonuses for Bellingham. If Dortmund triumph in London next month they would make less than that sum, with the prize money standing at £17.2m ($21.5m) for the winner.
WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID
Bellingham is looking forward to a reunion with his former club. He told TNT Sports: “At Wembley, against Dortmund, it’s a weird one. I can’t believe it. I’m so looking forward to it, the atmosphere, the game itself.
“I think at this point of the competition, anyone who’s still in it or anyone that’s got to the final deserves to be there. So to cherry pick would be unfair. We’ve got here because we deserve to, they’ve got there because they deserve to. That’s what the final is all about and hopefully it will be a great game.”
(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM
Real Madrid and Bellingham have already sealed the league title in Spain and will wrap up their campaign with games against Granada, Alaves and Villarreal before putting full focus on Dortmund.